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Aut. XIII. ANALYSIS OF SCIENTIFIC BOOKS. 



1. A System of Chemistry, in Four Volumes, by Thomas Thom- 

 son, M. D., the Sixth Edition, London, 1820. 



In conjecturing the future fortunes of mankind, from their 

 past and present condition, moralists have confined their views 

 chiefly to political and religious considerations. The diffusion 

 of general literature has been regarded by many as of equivocal 

 benefit, since in this respect, the press has been too often a 

 pander to the basest propensities of our nature. But there is 

 one ameliorating power, of modern growth, which has been 

 almost entirely overlooked, though its influence is great, and 

 unalloyed with evil. The cultivation of chemical science, by 

 all ranks, from the archduke to the artisan, has spread a spirit 

 of tranquil research and philanthropic sympathy, through the 

 whole family of Europe. In each of its enlightened states, there 

 is a society, respectable by its numbers, talents, and virtues, 

 who are ardently devoted to this fascinating and fruitful study ; 

 and who find in its pursuit, an inexhaustible source of intel- 

 lectual vigour and delight. Every new discovery and improve- 

 ment being a real benefaction and positive increase of enjoy- 

 ment, to the whole chemical world, excites in every well-consti- 

 tuted bosom, a feeling of gratitude and friendship towards the 

 successful investigator, in whatever country or condition he may 

 be placed. Hence, though human infirmity has introduced 

 a few blemishes into the history of modern chemistry, its 

 career has not been disgraced by such angry and jealous de- 

 fiances as were banded about over Europe a century ago, by 

 Leibnitz, the Bernouillis, and other leading geometers. With 

 some trivial exceptions, resulting from temper and situation, the 

 chemical history of our time exhibits a fairer picture of human 

 natui-e and purer patterns of liberality, truth, and justice, than 

 can be paralleled in any extensive association, since the primitive 

 Christian church. What a contrast between the cordial co-ope- 

 ration of European chemists, and tlie polemic sectarianism of the 

 philosophers of Greece. The names of Davy, WoUaston, Ber- 

 tlioUet, Gay-Lussac, Berzelius, Klaproth, and Werner, create a 

 regard even for the country which each respectively adorns, and 

 will minister to its renown, in ages and regions too remote to feel 

 any interest about those bustling spirits, who now flutter round 

 the summit of its political pyramid. Into what insignificance 

 do the grandees and demagogues of ancient Syracuse dwindle, 

 in the venerable presence of Archimedes ! 



The activity of the mQ(Jern chemical world is no less remark- 



